2/26/2013 |
CarGo picks up first hits of Spring TrainingMaking his third start in four Cactus League games, Carlos Gonzalez finally found his first hit, driving a single to left in his first at bat against the Cubs on Tuesday.

2/26/2013 |
Garcia pleased with first spring startCardinals manager Mike Matheny said Tuesday that he doesn't view left-hander Jaime Garcia as a variable or a question, but simply as one of the team's five starters. Garcia's performance in that afternoon's game lent a little weight to that assessment.

2/26/2013 |
Japan opens quest for third Classic title at homeTwo-time defending World Baseball Classic champion Japan is back for a run at a third title. Joining Japan and Cuba in Pool A is Classic newcomer Brazil, managed by Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, and China, which is competing in the tournament for the third time.

2/26/2013 |
US, Mexico highlight Arizona pool in ClassicFor the second time since the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, the Phoenix area will be home to one of the first four pools, beginning next Thursday when Italy plays Mexico in a 1 p.m. MT game at Salt River Fields. Team USA and Team Canada compete the bracket in which four of the six games will be played at Chase Field.

2/26/2013 |
Rangers prepared to round out rotation in houseTop free-agent pitcher Kyle Lohse remains available, but the Rangers believe they have a strong enough stable of candidates in camp to form a solid starting rotation by Opening Day.

2/26/2013 |
Hamilton the push Halos need to reach next levelThe Angels, who slipped into third place in the AL West in 2012 after making some splashy offseason signings, hope that luring Josh Hamilton from their division rivals this winter is the imapct move they needed to make to come out on top.

2/26/2013 |
Tribe ready to run with newfound speedThe favorite subject concerning the Tribe's sudden excess of fleet-footed runners is the volume of stolen bases that might be accumulated this season, which could be among the highest in club history.

2/26/2013 |
Wet field the culprit as Utley scratchedPhillies second baseman Chase Utley was scratched from Tuesday's lineup just minutes before a 4-3 victory over the Yankees, but it wasn't anything wrong with him physically -- it was wet field conditions.

2/26/2013 |
Dominating start could see Brown start for PhilsDomonic Brown is a harsh self-critic, but if he keeps hitting the way he has this spring, the long-touted prospect might play himself into a starting outfield spot for the Phillies.

2/26/2013 |
Given extra chance, Nakajima gets first MLB hitHiroyuki Nakajima didn't want to leave Tuesday's game against the D-backs with his third consecutive 0-for-2 performance. Neither did manager Bob Melvin, who gave the Japanese infielder one more at-bat. Nakajima took advantage, knocking a single for his first Major League hit.

2/26/2013 |
Rockies need healthy Chacin, De La Rosa to competeTuesday's game against the Cubs saw Jhoulys Chacin and Jorge De La Rosa make their Cactus League debuts in an attempt to validate the Rockies' belief in them after seeing them take the hill only 17 times in 2012.

2/26/2013 |
Reliever Joseph strikes out the side againDonnie Joseph struck out the side in the Indians' fifth on Tuesday, dispensing the three batters on the minimum nine pitches. He had fanned all three Rangers he faced on Saturday, throwing 15 pitches.

2/26/2013 |
Morales healthy, ready to contribute in SeattleKendrys Morales said he knew he was gone from the Angels as soon as they acquired Josh Hamilton over the offseason, and now he's ready to do the best he can for his new Mariners team. Morales, speaking in Spanish to MLB.com reporter Alden Gonzalez, said he's excited about his new situation after eight years in the Angels organization.

2/26/2013 |
Three new relievers working into Brewers' mixThe first of the Brewers' key bullpen additions will make his debut Wednesday, and two others are not far behind. Right-hander Burke Badenhop, acquired in an early-December trade with the Rays, is on the list to pitch against the Royals in Surprise. Left-handers Michael Gonzalez and Tom Gorzelanny, acquired via free agency after pitching last season with the Nationals, are expected to debut by the end of the work week.

2/26/2013 |
Shoulder better, Miller to face Nats on SaturdayShelby Miller faced hitters on Monday with no ill effects. As a result, he's scheduled to make his 2013 Grapefruit League game debut on Saturday against the Nationals at Roger Dean Stadium.

2/26/2013 |
Alburquerque's presence looms large for TigersThe first thing Al Alburquerque did when asked about his outing was shake his head. He has a point. The second outing of the spring is awfully early to be judging a relief pitcher.

2/26/2013 |
Bass impresses early, hopes to remain healthyAnthony Bass tossed two scoreless innings against the Reds on Tuesday in his first spring appearance. He was so efficient, throwing only 16 pitches, that he threw 12 more in the bullpen after he left the game.

2/26/2013 |
A season of uncertainty faces YankeesNormally, when the Yankees come to Clearwater, Fla., it's a special day on the Phillies' Grapefruit League schedule. The park is almost always sold out, the sun usually shines and in short, it's a happening. Blame some of it on the rain, but the usual hoopla and electricity attached to the Yankees coming to town was missing Tuesday.

2/26/2013 |
Niese aims to make pitch for All-Star nodMore than ever, players are reluctant to share individual goals for fear of shortfall and the appearance of failure. Jon Niese is not immune to such concerns. This spring, though, he has a quite specific objective, and he wears it on his sleeve. Niese wants to be an All-Star.

2/26/2013 |
Yankees don't reciprocate Damon's interest in reunionJohnny Damon has made overtures to the Yankees with Curtis Granderson on the shelf, but GM Brian Cashman prefers to evaluate what they have already at their disposal than bring Damon back for a reunion.

2/26/2013 |
Braves remain cautious with O'Flaherty's backEric O'Flaherty's previous battles with a sore back have led the Braves to keep him out of Grapefruit League games until next week. This decision was influenced by the fact that the exhibition season includes one extra week this year because of the World Baseball Classic.

2/26/2013 |
Dempster gives Sox innings, professionalismThe Red Sox didn't just acquire an innings-eater back in December when they signed free-agent pitcher Ryan Dempster, they also got a well-respected veteran who still has the same enthusiasm for the game he did five or 10 years ago.